Crime & Safety

Branchburg Woman Shared Child Porn Online, Arrested: Prosecutor

Kathleen Amberg, 69, of Branchburg, was charged with distribution of child sex abuse materials and possession of child sex abuse materials.

Kathleen Amberg, 69, of Branchburg, was charged with distribution of child sex abuse materials and possession of child sex abuse materials.
Kathleen Amberg, 69, of Branchburg, was charged with distribution of child sex abuse materials and possession of child sex abuse materials. (Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office)

BRANCHBURG, NJ — A Branchburg woman was arrested after authorities say she shared child pornography online.

Kathleen Amberg, 69, of Kenbury Road, Branchburg, was charged on Wednesday with second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse materials and third-degree possession of child sexual abuse materials, announced Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

Authorities were tipped off by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concerning the possession and distribution of files depicting the sexual abuse and/or exploitation of a minor via an internet service platform.

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An investigation by detectives with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations/Computer Crimes Unit led to the identification of Amberg as the suspect who possessed and distributed files depicting the sexual abuse and/or exploitation of a minor, said McDonald.

On Wednesday, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, along with members of the Branchburg Township Police Department, executed a Superior Court search warrant at Amberg’s home.

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Electronic devices were seized from the home for further forensic analysis. Amberg was taken into custody and taken to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

Amberg was lodged at the Somerset County Jail and was later released from custody after making an appearance in Superior Court.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations/Computer Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Branchburg Township Police Department at 908-526-3830 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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